Fall in Arizona promises several things: cooler temperatures, an assortment of colors fluttering in the trees, and a chance to hike more often before snow hits the higher elevations. Now is a great time to take advantage of all that so here are eight easy, peasy hikes that you can take here in Arizona. These trails are each less than six miles in total length, have limited elevation climbs, and feature the beautiful autumn colors you can see this season.
- Aspen Nature Loop (San Francisco Peaks)
Michael Wilson/Flickr This trail totals a whole 1.5 miles and is a pretty easy stroll through the western edge of the Peaks where the aspens turn a deep golden color. The trail starts at the Snowbowl and slowly descends into the trees before turning around to head back to the trailhead. Trail information: Hike Arizona
- Bog-Kent Springs Loop (Santa Rita Mountains)
Patrick Alexander/Flickr If you’re looking for a trail that is five miles but still offers a little more of a challenge, you’ll want to give this one a shot. The trail takes you up and around a portion of Madera Canyon, so the elevation gain can be a little much (about 200 feet per half mile) but it takes you through a spot that doesn’t see a lot of traffic. Trail information: Hike Arizona
- Cunningham Spur (Pinaleno Mountains)
Alan Stark/Flickr Except for the first one-third of a mile, this hike is a pretty easy one that takes you to see some of the lovely aspen spotted around the Pineleno Mountains. This trail is a total of 3.2 miles and takes about 2 hours or so to complete. Trail information: Hike Arizona
- Escudilla Trail (Escudilla Mountain)
Jason Corneveaux/Flickr This 6.5 mile trail takes you slowly up one of Arizona’s larger mountains and, this time of year, you’ll find some spectacular fall colors. It can be a bit of a challenge to hike up if you’re not used to elevation climb so take it slow and the trail should take you about four hours or so to complete. Trail information: Hike Arizona
- Horton Creek Trail #285 (Mogollon Rim)
Coconino National Forest/Flickr This trail is a little longer than all the others at seven miles but makes for a lovely trail to see the pretty fall colors. The elevation climb is also a slow one that takes you to the base of the Rim and will take you about four hours to complete. Trail information: Hike Arizona
- Veit Springs Trail (San Francisco Peaks)
Rocky Chrysler/Flickr This trail feels like a stroll through the park, looping through Hart Prairie for 1.5 miles. The trailhead is a little difficult to spot but once you do the rest of the hike is a breeze. You’ll also see a few historical spots along the way, so bring a camera! Trail information: 2 Cool Lizards
- View Point-North Mingus Loop (Mingus Mountain)
Max Rae/Flickr This trail is a total of 4.25 miles and you’ll find some pretty aspens and maples spotted along the trail, a sight most people don’t associate with the Verde Valley. The trail swoops down for the first mile before slowly moving up in elevation again. Trail information: Hike Arizona
- West Fork Oak Creek #108 (Oak Creek Canyon)
Neeson Hsu/flickr This iconic trail is actually pretty easy with beautiful views, which explains why it’s so popular. You’ll wind through Oak Creek Canyon for a total of six miles and is absolutely perfect on an October morning. Trail information: Hike Arizona
Not up for a hike? If a leisurely drive sounds more like your kind of thing, you’ll want to check out our article, 8 Country Roads In Arizona That Are Pure Bliss In The Fall.
Michael Wilson/Flickr
This trail totals a whole 1.5 miles and is a pretty easy stroll through the western edge of the Peaks where the aspens turn a deep golden color. The trail starts at the Snowbowl and slowly descends into the trees before turning around to head back to the trailhead. Trail information: Hike Arizona
Patrick Alexander/Flickr
If you’re looking for a trail that is five miles but still offers a little more of a challenge, you’ll want to give this one a shot. The trail takes you up and around a portion of Madera Canyon, so the elevation gain can be a little much (about 200 feet per half mile) but it takes you through a spot that doesn’t see a lot of traffic. Trail information: Hike Arizona
Alan Stark/Flickr
Except for the first one-third of a mile, this hike is a pretty easy one that takes you to see some of the lovely aspen spotted around the Pineleno Mountains. This trail is a total of 3.2 miles and takes about 2 hours or so to complete. Trail information: Hike Arizona
Jason Corneveaux/Flickr
This 6.5 mile trail takes you slowly up one of Arizona’s larger mountains and, this time of year, you’ll find some spectacular fall colors. It can be a bit of a challenge to hike up if you’re not used to elevation climb so take it slow and the trail should take you about four hours or so to complete. Trail information: Hike Arizona
Coconino National Forest/Flickr
This trail is a little longer than all the others at seven miles but makes for a lovely trail to see the pretty fall colors. The elevation climb is also a slow one that takes you to the base of the Rim and will take you about four hours to complete. Trail information: Hike Arizona
Rocky Chrysler/Flickr
This trail feels like a stroll through the park, looping through Hart Prairie for 1.5 miles. The trailhead is a little difficult to spot but once you do the rest of the hike is a breeze. You’ll also see a few historical spots along the way, so bring a camera! Trail information: 2 Cool Lizards
Max Rae/Flickr
This trail is a total of 4.25 miles and you’ll find some pretty aspens and maples spotted along the trail, a sight most people don’t associate with the Verde Valley. The trail swoops down for the first mile before slowly moving up in elevation again. Trail information: Hike Arizona
Neeson Hsu/flickr
This iconic trail is actually pretty easy with beautiful views, which explains why it’s so popular. You’ll wind through Oak Creek Canyon for a total of six miles and is absolutely perfect on an October morning. Trail information: Hike Arizona
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